RECOVERY PROGRESS | Updated: September 2025
Current Activities: Crews began removing intact batteries from the Moss 300 building on September 29, 2025. Upon removal from the structure, batteries are cleaned, wrapped in a protective coating, and placed in a designated staging area where they will be de-energized. After batteries are de-energized, they will be transported off-site for recycling or disposal in EPA-approved facilities. It is expected that most, if not all, of the intact batteries will be able to be recycled.
Crews have completed the removal of power inverters, equipment that converts electric current from DC to AC and vice versa, which were located on the outer perimeter of the Moss 300 building and have been placed in a designated storage area on the east side of the property.
Limited demolition activities continue, including the removal of additional portions of Moss 300’s exterior walls.
Next Steps: We expect removal of intact batteries and demolition activities to continue for the next several months. These processes will work hand-in-hand, as the continued removal of select portions of the building’s exterior walls will allow crews to access additional intact batteries.
Work at Moss Landing began the week of Aug. 11. While there will be increased activity in and around the site for the foreseeable future, we do not expect a significant increase in traffic or other off-site impacts. As is typical of any construction/demolition work, an increased level of noise can be expected at times while these activities are going on. All major operations are expected to be confined to daylight hours. All recovery plans were developed in consultation with, and approved by, the U.S. EPA and are designed to protect our personnel, the community, and the environment.
Our highest priority is the safety of our personnel and the community, and workers at the site will wear personal protective equipment (PPE) as they conduct most recovery activities. Furthermore, particulate and hydrogen fluoride monitors have been set up throughout the property. Should any irregularities be detected, recovery work will halt so our team can evaluate and address any concerns before work resumes.
Given the nature of this situation and the damage to the batteries, additional instances of smoke and flare-ups are a possibility. Since the January 16 fire, Vistra has brought in a private professional fire brigade that is onsite 24/7 to monitor the Moss 300 building.
Vistra will continue to update the public on this website and, with our partners at U.S. EPA and Monterey County, in other forums as work progresses.
INVESTIGATION PROGRESS
At this time, the cause of the January 16 fire remains unknown, and suggestions as to its cause or contributing factors are speculation. We are currently conducting a thorough, methodical investigation into the cause and have retained multiple outside experts who are assisting in this effort. Investigations like these take time, and we ask for your patience as our teams examine a myriad of data points to understand what happened.
Our ongoing cleanup and recovery efforts will also advance the investigation, as we will gain additional access to damaged portions of the building.
In the coming weeks and months, we will continue to be transparent with local officials, regulatory agencies, and the public on the next steps for the Moss Landing battery facilities and the findings of our investigation. When we have updates to share, they will be posted here on our response site.
Site Status
All battery facilities at the site remain offline; the natural gas plant is operational.
Air quality monitoring and sampling is ongoing around the plant’s perimeter and in the surrounding community. No hazardous air conditions have been detected.
U.S. EPA Community Involvement Plan
